Carrie Underwood offered the polished, comfortable persona of a bona fide star and a constant flow of vocal highlights. In fact, the high spots came so often and effortlessly that it was actually possible to not notice just how remarkable her vocal talents are. (6)

This is what it's like for Danny Gokey to return home. In February, the country singer made a special trip here from Nashville to celebrate the release of his debut album, "My Best Days." Sunday, he was back for an even bigger show: headlining the Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard.(24)

When a band spends much more time on the road than it does in the recording studio, it has to offer the fans something different every time it tours again. Rush, on the evidence of its performance Saturday night at the Marcus Amphitheater, had a new stage set-up.(75)

Most of us (guitarists) dream of having vintage Fender guitars. And this particular guitar was given to me by my cousin. . . . It had been under his bed in pieces because he was going to restore it for like, 20 years.

Devo never seemed like the sort of band that would enjoy or even want a long career, and the concept of de-evolution embodied in its very name implied the inevitability of its dissolution, although it managed to slouch from the end of the '70s toward the end of the '80s.(1)

The ninth season of "American Idol" was marked by headlines that focused more on the show's judges and ratings than its singing talent. As the annual "American Idol Live!" tour arrived at Friday night, the effect was clear. Lower interest resulted in plenty of open seats.
(26)